University-Industry Research Consortium Kicks Off with Inaugural Scientific Committee Meeting
Following the launch of the University-Industry Research Consortium (UIRC) in October 2023, the members of the Scientific Committee held their first meeting at Menara YTL recently. The meeting was chaired by Professor Emeritus Dato' Dr. Ibrahim Komoo, a UNESCO Global Geopark expert appointed as the UIRC Director. Also present was Dato’ Hamidah Maktar, Executive Director of Associated Pan Malaysia Cement (APMC) Sdn Bhd.
The meeting saw the attendance of Professor Dato’ Dr. Norzaini binti Azman, Deputy Director General, Department of Higher Education of Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE); Professor Madya Dr. Azidah binti Abu Ziden, Director, Academic Excellence Division of MoHE; representatives from the Industrial Relations Division of MoHE; a panel of renowned subject matter experts, as well as Deputy Vice-Chancellors and representatives from five participating local universities.
The Scientific Committee is responsible for guiding the research direction, ensuring quality control, and overseeing research affairs of the UIRC. The committee members are:
- Professor Emeritus Dato' Dr. Ibrahim Komoo, UIRC Director
- Datuk Aziyah Mohamed, Director of Green Enable Technology Sdn Bhd
- Professor Emeritus Dato' ChM. Dr. Mazlin Mokhtar, Expert in Sustainability and Deputy Head (Research) and Director, Ecological Systems Programme of United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network Asia Headquarters (UN SDSN ASIA)
- Professor Dato' Dr. Mokhtar Saidin, Expert in Archeology and Chairperson of the National Geopark Executive Committee
- Professor Dr. Norhayati Ahmad, Expert in Biology, Head of Geopark Research Centre, and Head of the Biological Diversity Heritage Research Programme of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
- Professor Dato’ Dr. Mohamad Kassim, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic & International Affairs), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
- Professor Ir. Ts. Dr. Ahmad Ziad Sulaiman, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic & International Affairs), Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah
- Professor Dr. Shahril Yusof, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic & International Affairs), Universiti Malaysia Sabah
- Professor Ir. Dr. Siti Noor Linda Taib, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic & International Affairs and Research & Innovation), Universiti Malaysia Sarawak
- Professor Dato' Gs. Dr Narimah Samat, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic & International Affairs), Universiti Sains Malaysia
The panel of subject matter experts, including Professor Emeritus Dato' ChM. Dr. Mazlin Mokhtar, Professor Dato' Dr. Mokhtar Saidin, and Professor Dr. Norhayati Ahmad serve as vital advisors in shaping the scientific direction of the UIRC.
During the meeting, the Scientific Committee decided on the five research themes of the UIRC, which are:
Launched by YTL Cement and the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE), the UIRC is a landmark partnership between universities and industries. The UIRC is established to study tropical limestone karst landscapes in the country, further contributing to the nation's ongoing pursuit of sustainable development.
The UIRC will provide scholarships to 40 Master’s and PhD students over the span of five years, supporting research endeavours focused on the sustainability of Tropical Limestone Karst landscapes in Malaysia.
For more information visit uirc.my.